LIFE IS GIVEN FOR A PURPOSE - THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER, 2021
TOPIC: LIFE IS GIVEN FOR A PURPOSE
TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 9:1-12
1. For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works [are] in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred [by] anything [they see] before them.
2. All things [come] alike to all: One event [happens] to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so [is] the sinner; He who takes an oath as [he] who fears an oath.
3. This [is] an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing [happens] to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness [is] in their hearts while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead.
4. But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5. For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.
6. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.
7. Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works.
8. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil.
9. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that [is] your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
10. Whatever your hand finds to do, do [it] with your might; for [there is] no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
11. I returned and saw under the sun that -- The race [is] not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
12. For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men [are] snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.
MESSAGE:
This scripture today calls to mind that all men are given equal opportunities by God to function on earth. What we do with this life will determine whether we succeed or not. God has given us our lives as His gift to us and what we do with our life is our gift to God. Know this "The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill but time and chance happens to them all."
Verse 10 says "whatsoever your hands find to do, do it with thy might. " This is because life offers us opportunities to live out our purposes within a time lag of life; there is a tenure for living and God does not keep anyone alive without a purpose. There is need therefore, to understand our purpose for being alive and fulfil it, lest we waste the opportunities given us to fulfil destiny. We must understand that death is a common destiny which comes to all men and we must make a commitment not to die until we have fulfilled destiny. Remember that as we live out our purpose on earth, our garments must be white and our head must not lack ointment (v.8).
PRAYER:
Father: I thank You for the privilege of life You have given me. Help me to fulfil Your purpose for my life.
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